COMMERCIAL21
ForSerialNos.
312,000,000&Higher
PartNo.4500-927Rev.A
WARNING
CALIFORNIA
Proposition65Warning
Theengineexhaustfromthisproduct
containschemicalsknowntotheStateof
Californiatocausecancer,birthdefects,
orotherreproductiveharm.
Important:Theengineinthisproductisnot
equippedwithasparkarrestermufer.Itisa
violationofCaliforniaPublicResourceCode
(CPRC)Section4442touseoroperatethis
engineonanyforest-covered,brush-covered,
orgrass-coveredlandasdenedinCPRC4126.
Otherstatesorfederalareasmayhavesimilar
laws.
Toacquireasparkarresterforyourunit,seeyour
EngineServiceDealer.
Thissparkignitionsystemcomplieswiththe
CanadianstandardICES-002.Cesystèmed’allumage
parètincelledevèhiculeestconformeàlanorme
NMB-002duCanada.
TheenclosedEngineOwner’sManualis
suppliedforinformationregardingTheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)and
theCaliforniaEmissionControlRegulationof
emissionsystems,maintenanceandwarranty.
KeepthisengineOwner’sManualwithyourunit.
ShouldthisengineOwner’sManualbecome
damagedorillegible,replaceimmediately.
Replacementsmaybeorderedthroughthe
enginemanufacturer.
Exmarkreservestherighttomakechangesor
addimprovementstoitsproductsatanytime
withoutincurringanyobligationtomakesuch
changestoproductsmanufacturedpreviously.
Exmark,oritsdistributorsanddealers,accept
noresponsibilityforvariationswhichmaybe
evidentintheactualspecicationsofitsproducts
andthestatementsanddescriptionscontained
inthispublication.
©2011ExmarkMfg.Co.,Inc.
IndustrialParkBox808
Beatrice,NE68310
Contactusatwww.Exmark.com.
2
PrintedintheUSA
AllRightsReserved
Introduction
CONGRATULATIONSonthepurchaseofyour
ExmarkMower.Thisproducthasbeencarefully
designedandmanufacturedtogiveyouamaximum
amountofdependabilityandyearsoftrouble-free
operation.
Thismanualcontainsoperating,maintenance,
adjustment,andsafetyinstructionsforyourExmark
mower.
BEFOREOPERATINGYOURMOWER,
CAREFULLYREADTHISMANUALINITS
ENTIRETY.
Byfollowingtheoperating,maintenance,andsafety
instructions,youwillprolongthelifeofyourmower,
maintainitsmaximumefciency,andpromotesafe
operation.
Ifadditionalinformationisneeded,orshould
yourequiretrainedmechanicservice,contactyour
authorizedExmarkequipmentdealerordistributor.
Exmarkpartsmanualsareavailableonlineat
http://www.exmark.com
AllExmarkequipmentdealersanddistributorsare
keptinformedofthelatestmethodsofservicing
andareequippedtoprovidepromptandefcient
serviceintheeldorattheirservicestations.They
carryamplestockofservicepartsorcansecurethem
promptlyforyoufromthefactory.
AllExmarkpartsarethoroughlytestedandinspected
beforeleavingthefactory,however,attentionis
requiredonyourpartifyouaretoobtainthefullest
measureofsatisfactionandperformance.
Figure1
1.Modelandserialnumberlocation
ModelNo.
SerialNo.
Wheneveryouneedservice,genuineExmarkparts,
oradditionalinformation,contactanAuthorized
ServiceDealerorExmarkCustomerServiceandhave
themodelandserialnumbersofyourproductready.
Figure1identiesthelocationofthemodelandserial
numbersontheproduct.Writethenumbersinthe
spaceprovided.
3
Contents
Introduction...........................................................3
Safety.....................................................................5
SafetyAlertSymbol.........................................5
SafeOperatingPractices..................................5
SafetyandInstructionalDecals.......................9
Specications........................................................11
ModelNumbers.............................................11
Systems..........................................................11
Dimensions....................................................11
ProductOverview.................................................12
Operation..............................................................13
Controls.........................................................13
Pre-Start.........................................................14
OperatingInstructions...................................15
Maintenance..........................................................21
RecommendedMaintenanceSchedule(s)............21
PeriodicMaintenance........................................22
CheckEngineOilLevel..................................22
CheckingtheBladeBrakeClutch(Blade
BrakeClutchOnly).....................................22
ChecktheMowerBlade..................................22
CheckforLooseHardware.............................24
ChecktheBladeBrakeClutchBail
Operation(BladeBrakeClutchUnits
Only)..........................................................24
ServiceAirFilter(KawasakiUnits)..................25
ServiceAirFilter(ECXHNBBC21and
ECXHN21Units)......................................25
ChangeEngineOil.........................................26
ChangeOilFilter(ECXKA21and
ECXKABBC21)........................................27
CheckConditionOfBelt(Self-Propelled
UnitsOnly)................................................27
CheckSparkPlugs..........................................27
EmptyingtheFuelTankandCleaningthe
FuelFilter...................................................28
Adjustments......................................................28
AdjustingtheSelf-PropelDrive
(Self-PropelledUnitsOnly).........................28
AdjustingtheBladeBrakeCable(Blade
BrakeClutchUnitsOnly)............................29
Cleaning............................................................30
CleanGrassBuild-UpUnderDeck.................30
CleaningtheDischargeTunneland
Plug............................................................30
CleaningUndertheBeltCover
(Self-PropelledUnitsOnly).........................30
CleaningtheBladeBrakeClutchShield
(BladeBrakeClutchUnitsOnly).................31
CleaningUndertheCoverPlate(Non-Blade
BrakeClutchUnitsOnly)............................31
WasteDisposal...............................................32
Storage..................................................................33
PreparingtheFuelSystem...............................33
PreparingtheEngine......................................33
GeneralStorageInformation..........................33
RemovingtheLawnMowerfrom
Storage.......................................................33
Troubleshooting....................................................34
4
Safety
Safety
SafetyAlertSymbol
ThislawnmowermeetsorexceedstheConsumer
ProductSafetyCommission(CPSC)bladesafety
requirementsforwalk-behindrotarymowersand
theB71.4specicationsoftheAmericanNational
StandardsInstituteineffectatthetimeofproduction.
Exmarkdesignedandtestedthislawnmowertooffer
reasonablysafeservice;however,failuretocomply
withthefollowinginstructionsmayresultinpersonal
injury.
ThisSafetyAlertSymbol(
thismanualandonthemachinetoidentifyimportant
safetymessageswhichmustbefollowedtoavoid
accidents.
Thissymbolmeans:ATTENTION!BECOME
ALERT!YOURSAFETYISINVOLVED!
Figure2)isusedbothin
SafeOperatingPractices
Training
•ReadtheOperator’ sManualandothertraining
material.Iftheoperator(s)ormechanic(s)can
notreadEnglishitistheowner’sresponsibilityto
explainthismaterialtothem.
•Becomefamiliarwiththesafeoperationofthe
equipment,operatorcontrols,andsafetysigns.
•Alloperatorsandmechanicsshouldbetrained.
Theownerisresponsiblefortrainingtheusers.
•Neverletchildrenoruntrainedpeopleoperate
orservicetheequipment.Localregulationsmay
restricttheageoftheoperator.
•Onlyadultsandmatureteenagersshouldoperate
amower,andevenmatureteenagersshouldhave
adultsupervision.Besureateenager:
1.hasreadandunderstandstheOperator's
Manualandrecognizestherisksinvolved;
2.issufcientlymaturetousecaution;and
Figure2
SafetyAlertSymbol
Thesafetyalertsymbolappearsaboveinformation
whichalertsyoutounsafeactionsorsituations
andwillbefollowedbythewordDANGER,
WARNING,orCAUTION.
DANGER:Whitelettering/Redbackground.
Indicatesanimminentlyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Willresultindeathorseriousinjury.
WARNING:Blacklettering/Orangebackground.
Indicatesapotentiallyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Couldresultindeathorseriousinjury.
CAUTION:Blacklettering/Yellowbackground.
Indicatesapotentiallyhazardoussituationwhich,if
notavoided,Mayresultinminorormoderateinjury.
Thismanualusestwootherwordstohighlight
information.Importantcallsattentiontospecial
mechanicalinformationandNoteemphasizes
generalinformationworthyofspecialattention.
3.isofsufcientsizeandweighttooperate
thecontrolscomfortablyandtomanagethe
mowerwithouttakingrisks.
•Theowner/usercanpreventandisresponsible
foraccidentsorinjuriesoccurringtohimselfor
herself,otherpeopleorproperty.
Preparation
•Evaluatetheterraintodeterminewhataccessories
andattachmentsareneededtoproperlyand
safelyperformthejob.Onlyuseaccessoriesand
attachmentsapprovedbyExmark.
•Wearappropriateclothingincludingsafetyglasses,
substantialfootwear,longtrousers,andhearing
protection.DoNotoperatewhenbarefootor
whenwearingopensandals.Longhair,loose
clothingorjewelrymaygettangledinmoving
parts.
CAUTION
Thismachineproducessoundlevelsinexcess
of85dBAattheoperator’searandcancause
hearinglossthroughextendedperiodsof
exposure.
Wearhearingprotectionwhenoperatingthis
machine.
5
Safety
•Inspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe
usedandremoveallrocks,toys,sticks,wires,
bones,andotherforeignobjectswhichcanbe
thrownbythemachineandmaycausepersonal
injurytotheoperatororbystanders.
DANGER
Incertainconditionsgasolineisextremely
ammableandvaporsareexplosive.
Areorexplosionfromgasolinecanburn
you,others,andcausepropertydamage.
•Fillthefueltankoutdoorsonlevelground,
inanopenarea,whentheengineiscold.
Wipeupanygasolinethatspills.
•Neverrellthefueltankordrainthe
machineindoorsorinsideanenclosed
trailer.
•DoNotllthefueltankcompletely
full.Addgasolinetothefueltankuntil
thelevelis1/4to1/2inch(6–13mm)
belowthebottomofthellerneck.This
emptyspaceinthetankallowsgasoline
toexpand.
•Neversmokewhenhandlinggasoline,and
stayawayfromanopenameorwhere
gasolinefumesmaybeignitedbyspark.
DANGER
Incertainconditionsduringfueling,static
electricitycanbereleasedcausingaspark
whichcanignitegasolinevapors.Areor
explosionfromgasolinecanburnyouand
othersandcausepropertydamage.
•Alwaysplacegasolinecontainersonthe
groundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
lling.
•DoNotllgasolinecontainersinsidea
vehicleoronatruckortrailerbedbecause
interiorcarpetsorplastictruckbedliners
mayinsulatethecontainerandslowthe
lossofanystaticcharge.
•Whenpractical,removegas-powered
equipmentfromthetruckortrailerand
refueltheequipmentwithitswheelson
theground.
•Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmentonatruckortrailerfroma
portablecontainer,ratherthanfroma
gasolinedispensernozzle.
•Ifagasolinedispensernozzlemustbe
used,keepthenozzleincontactwiththe
rimofthefueltankorcontaineropening
atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.
•Storegasolineinanapprovedcontainer
andkeepitoutofthereachofchildren.
•Addfuelbeforestartingtheengine.Never
removethecapofthefueltankoradd
fuelwhenengineisrunningorwhenthe
engineishot.
•Iffuelisspilled,DoNotattempttostart
theengine.Moveawayfromtheareaof
thespillandavoidcreatinganysourceof
ignitionuntilfuelvaporshavedissipated.
•DoNotoperatewithoutentireexhaust
systeminplaceandinproperworking
condition.
WARNING
Gasolineisharmfulorfatalifswallowed.
Long-termexposuretovaporshascaused
cancerinlaboratoryanimals.Failuretouse
cautionmaycauseseriousinjuryorillness.
•Avoidprolongedbreathingofvapors.
•Keepfaceawayfromnozzleandgas
tank/containeropening.
•Keepawayfromeyesandskin.
•Neversiphonbymouth.
•Checkthattheoperator'spresencecontrols,
safetyswitches,andshieldsareattachedand
functioningproperly .DoNotoperateunlessthey
arefunctioningproperly.
6
Safety
Operation
WARNING
Operatingengineparts,especiallythemufer,
becomeextremelyhot.Severeburnscanoccur
oncontactanddebris,suchasleaves,grass,
brush,etc.cancatchre.
•Allowengineparts,especiallythemufer,to
coolbeforetouching.
•Removeaccumulateddebrisfrommuferand
enginearea.
•Installandmaintaininworkingordera
sparkarresterbeforeusingequipment
onforest-covered,grass-covered,or
brush-coveredunimprovedland.
WARNING
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,
whichisanodorlessdeadlypoisonthatcankill
you.
DoNotrunengineindoorsorinasmallconned
areawheredangerouscarbonmonoxidefumes
cancollect.
•Operateonlyindaylightorgoodarticiallight,
keepingawayfromholesandhiddenhazards.
•Starttheenginecarefullyaccordingtoinstructions
withfeetwellawayfromtheblade.
•Neverraisedeckwithbladerunning.
•Neveroperatethemowerwithdamagedguards,
shields,orcovers.Alwayshavesafetyshields,
guards,switchesandotherdevicesinplaceandin
properworkingcondition.
•Nevermowwiththedischargedoorraised,
removedoralteredunlessthereisagrass
collectionsystemormulchkitinplaceand
workingproperly.
•Grasscatchercomponentsaresubjecttowear,
damageanddeterioration,whichcouldexpose
movingpartsorallowobjectstobethrown.
Frequentlycheckthecomponentsandreplace
themwiththemanufacturer’srecommendedparts
whennecessary.
•DoNotchangetheenginegovernorsettingor
overspeedtheengine.
•Neverattempttomakewheelheightadjustments
whiletheengineisrunning.
•Parkthemachineonlevelground.Stopengine,
waitforallmovingpartstostop,andremovethe
sparkplugwire(s).
–Beforechecking,cleaningorworkingonthe
mower.
–Afterstrikingaforeignobjectorabnormal
vibrationoccurs(inspectthemowerfor
damageandmakerepairsbeforerestarting
andoperatingthemower).
–Beforeclearingblockages.
–Wheneveryouleavethemower.
•Stopengine,waitforallmovingpartstostop:
–Beforerefueling.
–Beforedumpingthegrasscatcher.
–Beforemakingheightadjustments.
WARNING
Hands,feet,hair,clothing,oraccessoriescan
becomeentangledinrotatingparts.Contact
withtherotatingpartscancausetraumatic
amputationorseverelacerations.
•DoNotoperatethemachinewithout
guards,shields,andsafetydevicesinplace
andworkingproperly.
•Keephands,feet,hair,jewelry,orclothing
awayfromrotatingparts.
•Keepclearofthedischargeopeningatalltimes.
•Thismowerwasdesignedforoneoperator
only.Keepallothersawayfrommowerduring
operation.
•DONOToperatethemowerwhenpeople,
especiallychildren,orpetsareinthearea.
•Bealert,slowdownandusecautionwhen
makingturns.Lookbehindandtothesidebefore
changingdirections.
•Stoptheblades,slowdown,andusecaution
whencrossingsurfacesotherthangrassandwhen
transportingthemowertoandfromtheareato
bemowed.
•Beawareofthemowerdischargepathanddirect
dischargeawayfromothers.
•DoNotoperatethemowerundertheinuence
ofalcoholordrugs.
7
Safety
•Useextremecarewhenloadingorunloadingthe
machineintoatrailerortruck.
•Usecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,shrubs,
trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscurevision.
SlopeOperation
UseExtremecautionwhenmowingand/orturning
onslopesaslossoftractionand/ortip-overcould
occur.Theoperatorisresponsibleforsafeoperation
onslopes.
DANGER
Operatingonwetgrassorsteepslopescan
causeslidingandlossofcontrol.Lossofcontrol
and/orlossofoperator'sfootingcouldresultina
fallwithanarmorleggettingunderthemower
orenginedeckwhichmayresultinseriousinjury,
deathordrowning.
•Mowacrossslopes,neverupanddown.
•DoNotmowslopeswhengrassiswet.
•DoNotmowneardrop-offsornearwater.
•DoNotmowexcessivelysteepslopes.
•Reducespeedanduseextremecautionon
slopes.
•Avoidsuddenturnsorrapidspeedchanges.
•Whenfeasible,avoidoperatingtheequipmentin
wetgrass.
•Progressivelygreatercareisneededastheslope
increases.
•Removeormarkobstaclessuchasrocks,tree
limbs,etc.fromthemowingarea.Tallgrasscan
hideobstacles.
•Watchforditches,holes,rocks,dipsandrisesthat
changetheoperatingangle,asroughterraincould
overturnthemachine.
•Useextremecarewithgrasscatchersor
attachments.Thesecanchangethestabilityofthe
machineandcauselossofcontrol.
•Keepengineandengineareafreefrom
accumulationofgrass,leaves,excessivegrease
oroil,andotherdebriswhichcanaccumulate
intheseareas.Thesematerialscanbecome
combustibleandmayresultinare.
•LetenginecoolbeforestoringandDoNotstore
nearameoranyenclosedareawhereopenpilot
lightsorheatappliancesarepresent.
•Shutofffuelwhilestoringortransporting.Do
Notstorefuelnearamesordrainindoors.
•Parkmachineonlevelground.Neverallow
untrainedpersonneltoservicemachine.
•Removesparkplugwirebeforemakingany
repairs.
•Usecarewhencheckingblades.Wraptheblade(s)
orweargloves,andusecautionwhenservicing
them.Onlyreplacedamagedblades.Never
straightenorweldthem.
•Keephandsandfeetawayfrommovingparts.
Ifpossible,DoNotmakeadjustmentswiththe
enginerunning.
•Keepallguards,shieldsandallsafetydevicesin
placeandinsafeworkingcondition.
•Checkallboltsfrequentlytomaintainproper
tightness.
•Frequentlycheckforwornordeteriorating
componentsthatcouldcreateahazard.
WARNING
Removingstandardoriginalequipmentparts
andaccessoriesmayalterthewarranty,traction,
andsafetyofthemachine.Failuretouseoriginal
Exmarkpartscouldcauseseriousinjuryor
death.Makingunauthorizedchangestothe
engine,fuelorventingsystem,mayviolateEPA
andCARBregulations.
Replaceallpartsincluding,butnotlimitedto,
tires,belts,blades,andfuelsystemcomponents
withoriginalExmarkparts.
MaintenanceandStorage
•Stoptheengineandremovethesparkplug
wire(s).Waitforallmovementtostopbefore
adjusting,cleaningorrepairing.
8
SafetyandInstructionalDecals
Safety
•Keepallsafetysignslegible.Removeallgrease,
dirtanddebrisfromsafetysignsandinstructional
labels.
•Replaceallworn,damaged,ormissingsafety
signs.
•Whenreplacementcomponentsareinstalled,be
surethatcurrentsafetysignsareafxedtothe
replacedcomponents.
•Ifanattachmentoraccessoryhasbeeninstalled,
makesurecurrentsafetysignsarevisible.
68-7410
•Newsafetysignsmaybeobtainedfrom
yourauthorizedExmarkequipmentdealeror
distributororfromExmarkMfg.Co.Inc.
•Safetysignsmaybeafxedbypeelingoffthe
backingtoexposetheadhesivesurface.Apply
onlytoaclean,drysurface.Smoothtoremove
anyairbubbles.
•Familiarizeyourselfwiththefollowingsafetysigns
andinstructionlabels.Theyarecriticaltothesafe
operationofyourExmarkcommercialmower.
103-6327
ECXHN21
1.Choke–on
2.Throttle–fast
94-8072
3.Continuousvariablesetting
4.Throttle–slow
109-8191
ECXKABBC21,ECXKA21
9
Safety
109-9317
116-1922
117–2718
116-2737
10
Specications
ModelNumbers
SerialNos:312,000,000andHigher
ECSKAP21;ECSKA21;ECXKA21;ECXHN21;ECXKABBC21;ECXHNBBC21
Specications
Systems
Engine
•EngineSpecications:SeeyourEngineOwner’ s
Manual
•EngineOilType:Exmark4–CyclePremium
EngineOil
•RPM:3300RPM(NoLoad)
FuelSystem
•Capacity:
ECSKA21andECSKAP21Units:
2.0qt(1.9L)
Allotherunits:4.0qt(3.8L)
•FuelRecommendations:
–Forbestresults,useonlyclean,fresh,unleaded
gasolinewithanoctaneratingof87orhigher
((R+M)/2ratingmethod).
–Oxygenatedfuelwithupto10%ethanolor
15%MTBEbyvolumeisacceptable.
–DoNotuseethanolblendsofgasoline(such
asE15orE85)withmorethan10%ethanol
byvolume.Performanceproblemsand/or
enginedamagemayresultwhichmaynotbe
coveredunderwarranty.
–DoNotusegasolinecontainingmethanol.
SafetyInterlockSystem
ForunitswithoutaBladeBrakeClutch:Operator
musthavethebladecontrolbaildepressedtostart
theengine.Releasingthebladecontrolbailwillcause
theenginetostop.
Transmission(SelfPropelledUnits)
Variable
SpeedRange:0–4.2mph(6.8km/hr)
CuttingDeck
•CuttingWidth:21inches(53.3cm)
•BladeBrake:Whenthebladeengagementcontrol
ismovedtothedisengagedpositionafriction
brakepadstopstherotationoftheblades.
•BladeSize:(1ea.):20.88inches(53.0cm)
•Deck:21inchesrigid.Deckdesignallowsfor
bagging,mulchingorreardischarge.
•CuttingHeightAdjustment:
Adjustsfrom1inch(2.5cm)to41/2inches(11.4
cm)in1/2inch(1.3cm)increments.
•MulchingKit:StandardonECXKA21;
ECXHN21;ECXKABBC21,and
ECXHNBBC21Units
–DoNotstorefueleitherinthefueltankor
fuelcontainersoverthewinterunlessafuel
stabilizerisused.
–DoNotaddoiltogasoline.
•FuelFilter:Non-replaceable,intank
•FuelShut-OffValve:
ECSKA21andECSKAP21UnitsDoNothavea
shut-offvalve.
Allotherunitshaveashut-offvalve.
Dimensions
CurbWeight:
98-122lb(44-55kg)Weightsmayvaryslightly
dependingonengineoption.
OverallWidth:
22inches(55.9cm)
11
ProductOverview
OverallLengthandHeightat
21/2inchCuttingHeight:
HandleSettingLengthHeight
High61.00inches
(154.9cm)
Medium
Low
63.00inches
(160.0cm)
64.50inches
(163.8cm)
39.00inches(99.1
cm)
37.50inches(95.3
cm)
35.00inches(88.9
cm)
ProductOverview
Figure3
1.Grassbag
2.Handle6.Rearwheelheight
3.DriveBail
(Self-PropelledUnits
Only)
4.BladeControlBail
5.Dischargedoor
adjustment
7.Frontwheelheight
adjuster
12